The Rinehart-Bowman House, Springfield, OH

The Rinehart-Bowman House, Springfield, OH. 1873 Photo: Wikimedia

The Rinehart-Bowman House at 815 East High Street in Springfield, OH was built in 1873 and is an important element of the East High Street Historic District, which is home to several impressive homes in the Italianate and other styles. In the mid 19th century, this street became the most fashionable address in Springfield and remains a good example of a 19th century grand avenue. The builder of the house was John Rinehart, an important implement company owner and was sold in 1882 to S. Bowman, an attorney. The house is interesting in embodying important characteristics found in other Ohio Italianates. It is a symmetrical plan house with a projecting central bay, a common feature of the style. The facade is limestone over brick. The limestone features incised carving to express the architectural pilasters and architraves. The windows, of which those on the first floor are segmental arched and those on the second floor rectangular, feature shallow eared surrounding moldings, incised Eastlake ornament, and carved keystones. The cornice is of the paneled type with c and s curve brackets. A particularly lovely feature is the door which has carved pilasters, panels, urns, and a particularly lovely piece of rococo ironwork.